A celebration of nature in Wetumpka with the Wildlife Arts Festival
Words by Paige Townley
Some festivals are all about food, others are all about music, while some are all about arts and culture. And then there are the rare ones that manage to capture it all, including the very soul of its surroundings. That’s the Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival.
Every October, historic downtown Wetumpka transforms into a living gallery where Alabama’s wild beauty takes center stage. Hosted by The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts—affectionately known as The Kelly—this one-day festival isn’t just about admiring nature. It’s about stepping right into it.
Scheduled for Saturday, October 25, this annual love letter to the South’s wild beauty and the artistry it inspires will fill the streets with easels, canvases, and the scent of something delicious cooking nearby. On the riverbank, plein-air painters will capture the shifting light, while just a few steps away, DockDogs will leap sky-high in playful competition. Sporting dog demos and live art performances will also take place.
At the center of it all is the Art Gone Wild exhibition and competition. Here, well known wildlife artists from across the southeast bring their best work—wildlife and landscapes painted with reverence for the land that raised them. Many paint live, letting passersby witness that magical moment when a blank canvas becomes something worth pausing for.
Every October, historic downtown Wetumpka transforms into a living gallery where Alabama’s wild beauty takes center stage.
Hands-on experiences are the heartbeat of the festival. Visitors can learn a little about floral design with a workshop by Philip Thompson, learn the basics of quilting from start to finish with the Gee’s Bend Quilters, and even find out how to bake the best biscuits with Kathy Willis.
This year, there’s also a soundtrack set to inspire too. Local favorite River Dan, a country singer and banjo player, will fill the air with his heartfelt melodies. And Tony Graydon will cover the classics, blending country twang with rock heart.
Whether you’re an art aficionado, a nature enthusiast, or simply searching for the perfect outdoor getaway, the Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival invites you to slow down, take it all in, and leave seeing the world—and the South—a little differently than when you arrived.
For full details and schedules, visit thekelly.org/wewa.
